Municipal Affairs
December 16, 2016

Public Advisory: The 12 Days of Fire Safety � Day Seven

Children and youth are often the centre of attention during the holiday season. As families enjoy a variety of Christmas activities, they should keep fire safety top of mind.

There are many precautions parents and guardians can take to help protect their children and youth. These precautions are especially important for individuals who don�t normally have children in their homes but will over the holidays including:

  • Never allow children to play with matches, lighters, or candles;
  • Never leave children unsupervised around a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater. Consider installing safety gates around these potential hazards especially when children are young;
  • Ensure a smoke alarm is installed on every level of your home, as well as in every bedroom and in the hallway or room outside each sleeping area;
  • Review your emergency plan and remind children never to hide during a fire and, even if it�s snowing outside, to always evacuate to your designated family meeting place;
  • Teach children to dial 911 when there is a fire or emergency; and
  • Review general fire safety tips with youth who are living away from home for the first time.

Prepare a checklist of important items to discuss with your babysitter before heading out. The list can include:

  • What to do in case of an emergency;
  • A contact number and a backup number of other family members or trusted friends;
  • The civic address of your home;
  • Your plans while out and your estimated time of return; and
  • Any special instructions /medical conditions/rules related to the children.

Residents are invited to tweet a photo @MA_GovNL external of you or your family practicing fire safety during the holiday season during the 12 Days of Fire Safety. One entrant will be chosen to win an emergency preparedness kit. Watch for our 12 days of fire safety for ideas.

For more information about fire safety and emergency preparedness, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/fes/.

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Media contact:

Lynn Robinson
Media Relations Manager
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

2016 12 16                              3:55 p.m.